A Policeman and his Dogs

3/31/2020

Article by Cokato Museum Staff

Cokato Museum Collection, circa 1943

Back Row: Ed Pickruhn, Marvel Fox, Otto Preus, Joann Nelson, Layonna Nelson, Pauline Hedberg, I.W. Humola.
Front Row: Marion Loe, Alice Ryti, Gloria Nelson, Lorraine, Joan Onkka, Paul Hedberg, Clifford Hedberg
Very Front Row: Rex II

Edward Pickruhn was originally from Minneapolis, MN and then moved to Cokato after he married Mrs. Ellen Johnson of Cokato in 1927. He lived in Cokato until his death in 1947. During his time here he was involved in many different things, including, being a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star. In Cokato's First Century by Carlton Lee it states that Pickruhn served as the Master of the Cokato Lodge from 1919-1921. Pickruhn was also a custodian at the water works system and was probably most notably known for being a policeman for the Cokato Village.

According to the 1947 Cokato Enterprise article, Ed Pickruhn was a policeman for the Cokato Village from 1931 to 1947. Lee states that in 1931 Pickruhn was appointed night watchman and caretaker of the water pumping station, at $60 a month. When the worst of the Depression was over, in 1935 they increased his pay to $100 a month. During his time as a policeman, Pickruhn had had two police dogs. Both dogs were named Rex and were loyal companions to the officer and they were well known around the community.

Ed Pickruhn and Rex I on Millard Ave, circa 1936

Russell W. Gausman

4/6/2020 01:27:19 pm

My late father, Kenneth Gausman mentioned Ed Pickruhn. He said that he passed away while trying to push his car when it became stuck during the winter. I think this happened on the street that ran west past the train depot. Story has it, a few days later, his dog, who had become despondent, walked out in front of a train and was killed. There is a website called Officer Down that has memorials to law enforcement officers on it who died while on duty. If Pickruhn's death could be documented he could be added to the website.

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